Researching the Internet!

I was having a conversation with some friends about the wonders of the internet.

Specifically, it was about an application for a postal vote for the forthcoming election.

As I will not be at home, I had applied online for this option.

It was so easy to do, as it is with so many other previously tiresome filling of forms.

The discussion was mixed, as not all of my friends wanted to do  everything online, as some  felt it was a bit too intrusive  and personal information was at risk.

Until this afternoon, I was firmly on the time saving system of doing things electronically, but after having almost lost the will to live while trying to book a twin room  with a friend who cannot negotiate  stairs, I was definitely beginning to eat my words and  was hankering after a good old phone booking.

The town in which I wanted to book, is busy, especially in the summer months, so I was not expecting it to be easy, especially as just for one night and with a few special requests.

 After many attempts at possible dates that suited us, I decided on the more flexible approach  of seeing what was available during late July, August and early September.

Getting a date sorted was challenge number one.

Challenge number two was finding the availability of, if not full disabled access, at least ground floor accommodation or a lift.

My friend cannot negotiate stairs, due to a foot injury, so although not requiring full disabled facilities, her mobility choices are limited.

It became abundantly clear, that many of the buildings were old, and had been converted into a variety of  boutique hotels and self catering units with no lifts.

Disabled access for anyone with more profound needs, didn`t seem to be widely publicized.

Most of the sites made little or no reference to either having or not having  disabled access or facilities, with the absence of a lift rather unobtrusively identified by "No Lift" .

We don`t mind sharing a room, so challenge number three  was finding a twin bedded one.

They were available  on most of the websites, but when it came to booking, double beds were the order of the day.

I thought this surprising as I know many beds can be dual purpose, by being able to be two singles or zipped together to make a double.

Challenge number four was ideally finding somewhere near to the railway station, which understandably narrowed things down a bit. It was not essential but certainly desirable.

I tried phoning several likely looking places, only to be told  the same story, either dates not available, no ground floor rooms or lift,  no twin beds or all three.

Trying to contact by phone was not an option for most businesses, as either no one answered, a voicemail  relayed that no messages would be taken or in the case of some of the larger chains, a central number claimed to put the caller in contact with accommodation of choice, but to no avail.

At two points I thought I had success within my grasp and started to book, only to find the page went blank and I was told an error had occurred and to try again later.

On trying later, I got as far as reserving the room, only to find that another  error had occurred just as I was looking up my banking app.

Eventually after much research, all the ducks seemed to line up and I found a "deal" which was technically a family room with a double and a single, available at the end of August. It was also near the station.

My reservation for acceptable dates, with a lift and two beds has been accepted!

I started my search at 13.30 and finished it at 1700!

I have used the internet many times to book accommodation and all sorts of travel plans, but have never experienced the frustration that I felt today.

It seemed to be in such a muddle, as I would start to look at one hotel, only to find it switch to another, or find  my "search" dates kept changing.

It also flagged up the difficulty that people with mobility challenges must have, as there was a distinct shortage of information on practically all the websites.

Perhaps I was unlucky with the area chosen as clearly although a busy holiday destination, the majority of the properties are old and do not have lifts.

I was surprised at the bed situation. Perhaps not all rooms can accommodate two beds, but I found that having so few twin bedded rooms on offer was  not what I expected.

Probably the most frustrating part was not being able to talk to a human being.

Frequently asked questions are listed on websites, but so often a phone conversation  can iron out issues quickly.

It struck me that there is a huge gap within the tourist industry which until recent years was filled by people. 

Much of the travel experience is now down to the traveller doing all the research work, and our robotic friends with their Artificial Intelligence, fill in the blanks.

Sometimes it is highly efficient and time saving, but there are times when a friendly voice would be most welcome. Today was one of them!